Thomas Gordon "Tommy" Cook

Thomas Gordon “Tommy” Cook, age 68, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2012 at Blue Ridge Health Care facility in Raleigh, NC after an extended illness. Tommy was born March 20, 1943 in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, GA toElgie Gordon Cook, Jr. and Martha Angley Cook. Tommy grew up in Americus, GA and was a graduate of Americus High School in 1961. He attended Georgia Southwestern College before transferring to the University of Georgia where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in History. He taught for a number of years as a history and political science professor at several institutions including Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL, Clayton Junior College in Morrow, GA, and Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. His love of the political process led him into lobbying where he spent a number of years representing the Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA). While at GPhA, he learned the conventions and trade show business and started his own business, Southeastern Management Services where he worked until he retired in 2007. He was a leader in Civitan and supporter of the American Red Cross. He was an avid gardener, loved fishing and UGA Football. He loved his family, was a true friend, and always looked to help others. Survivors include his former wife, Patricia Castellow Cook of Americus, Ga; son, Christopher Lawrence Cook and wife Kimberly of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Cynthia Lynn Cook Fyfe and husband, Stan of Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren, Kimberly Gregory and husband Jonathan of Griffin, GA; Lee and Michael Fyfe, Rachel, Sarah Anne and Abigail Cook; great-grandchild Leah Gregory. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service was held at 2:00pm Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Hancock Funeral Home chapel in Americus, GA. Tommy’s ashes will be interred at the Cook family plot at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus, GA. The family would like to thank all of the staff at The Covington Assisted Living and Blue Ridge Health Care facilities for their loving care during the time he spend there. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001. To sign our online guest registry, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., Americus, GA, is in charge of arrangements.